Barbara Lee Center Wins Excellence Award for Outstanding Building
Merritt College’s newest building, the Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center, was one of two buildings named as Outstanding Project for 2015 by the prestigious Western Council of Construction Consumers at its Excellence Awards Program. The dinner ceremony was held to a packed room on October 27 at the Lafayette Hotel and Spa. In announcing Merritt’s award, the Center was said to be “among the most sophisticated community college learning centers in the U.S. and the most advanced community college science centers in California.” The building was also one of the few recipients of the night to receive a “Sustainability Excellence Award” for its LEED Gold Certification.
Attending the ceremony and accepting the award for the Center were Derek Labrecque, Partner, and Shawn Percey, BIM 
Manager from JK Architecture; and Ted Foor, Larry Cabodi, Sean Burnie, and Anna Kennedy from Clark/Sullivan Construction. Also attending the dinner from the District were Peralta Chancellor Jowel Laguerre, Saddiq Ikharo, and Gary Banks, along with Merritt Dean Rosemary Delia.
After the ceremony, architect Derek LaBrecque talked about the honor of receiving the award. “I’m excited that Merritt’s building was recognized tonight, partly because the essence of this project was built upon the vision of the college and history of the community. But also because of what will be done in this facility to prepare students with the the skill sets they need to succeed in the 21st century.”
—Susan May